It depends what you mean by "working with people". If you are looking to get the job as a school social worker with children or talking with adults getting out of debt or whatever, It would help to be more specific in what you aer looking for.
Most careers require that a person has some sort of college degree. Most states require a bachelors degree or 4 years of schooling to become a high school math teacher.
He would require around 20 years of schooling, but even then he may need an extra 10 or so courses.
You'll need at least a four-year degree to become a psychologist. Some positions require even more schooling.
Business school.
There are various jobs that do not require a college degree, though these days more and more jobs are beginning to require at least a partial college education. Finding one of these jobs really depends upon what field you are planning to work in, if it is a more specialized field, you may need to attend some schooling. Most insurance jobs likely require at least a bit of education in the insurance field.
Any accounting position will require a fair amount of schooling, and a contact accounting job is no different. At a minimum, a person seeking this type of employment will require a bachelors degree.
The only operating rooms jobs that may not require schooling or experience would be cleaning. Any time someone is assisting in a surgery, special training is required.
There are different levels of being a Pharmacist. There are Registered Pharmacists and Doctors of Pharmacy. Each require a different amount of schooling. So, if you have went all the way in Pharmaceutical College, then you would be considered a Doctor of Pharmacy.
Here's a link to a website that will help you learn what schooling you need to become an emergency medical technician and find the school best suited for you. Good luck! http://www.schoolofemt.com/
9 years because the more u know the better you do
Some therapists or psychologists can practice with only a Master's degree.
Education is mandatory in the US. Most states require schooling until the age of 16. There are alternatives, such as home schooling, but it requires meeting specific curriculum requirements.